Do actions speak louder than words?

I saw this question and answer and it reminded me of the quote “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” by Confucius, which I think could be the ultimate origin of this proverb. What do you think?

Who said, “Actions speak louder than words”?

Talk about a catch-all expression. This proverb can refer to leadership, nuclear deals, taking a stand — or not, and judo. But, as you might expect, the notion of “What you do means more than what you say” predates modern American culture. The 16th-century French writer Michel de Montaigne, who is generally credited with inventing the essay, proclaimed, “Saying is one thing and doing is another.” And before him, St. Francis of Assisi, who embodied this principle, is widely credited with saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

The present English version of this proverb might date to 1736, but versions of this wisdom are found in many languages and lands, even ancient Greece. Precisely who first said it may be lost to time, but it’s a little more certain who first published it on on American shores. In his 1692 book Will and Doom, Gersham Bulkeley wrote, “Actions are more significant than words.”

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, it is coined in 1629 by John Pym saying A word spoken in season is like an Apple of Gold set in Pictures of Silver,’ and actions are more precious than words. then said by will and doom 1692 gersham bulkely bulkely